Tuesday, August 17, 2010

VietNam Adoption Packing List

I've shared this list many times via email, but think it might be helpful to post it here for some adoption travelers that are getting ready to jet half-way across the world for their own sweeties! Congrats!

For what it's worth, here it is-

This is the packing list for our adoption travel of Tess and Jujube. The comments in red were made after our return. We didn't know how long we would be gone, but ultimately we were in country 11 days.

This list also looks HUGE, but in actuality, it isn't. All of this fit in 2 medium size bags, 1 small bag, one small duffel-type bag, and 2 small sling-type carry ons (that doubled as diaper bags, not pictured) There are really just a lot of little items. (the pic above also include two large suit case filled to the brim with orphanage donations-this is not included in the below list.) The pink soft-back 3ring is the mother load of paperwork that never left my person when we traveled.

I also chose to take a whole slew of over the counter medications. As expected most were not needed, but the alternative was trying to find and purchase medications packaged in a foreign language. We didn't want to risk this

And because one list is never enough, toward the end of the list there are some extra lists.

----I planned on doing some grocery shopping as soon as we arrived in VietNam to cut back on packing. So there is a grocery list for that trip to the store.

----There are also items that I used frequently, that needed to be stocked in our diaper bags prior to departing the hotel. Thinking was not my forte during these 11 days and referring to this list ensured that I never was without.

----And lastly, a list just for the return flight home.

This list will also give you a glimpse into how anal retentive I am at heart!

Came in VERY handy! We treated for scabies preemptively as we knew the orphanage had scabies and we were told it didn’t hurt them at all!

Meds

1

Infant Benadryl

for babies for plane ride home for sleeping-be sure and test for agitation several days PRIOR to travel (1/2 dropper-1/4 t.)-did use and it work or it was just a coincidence that they both slept for the entire ride home-test ahead of time

Meds

1

Aquaphore

For eczema, small container-LOVED IT and used it a lot! Babies skin dried out TONS with hotel air condtiores/heat/plane rides! A little went a long way!

Meds

1

Baby Laxative

Miralax-didn’t need it but good to have anyway-1/4 t 1X per day. Takes 2-3 days to kick in. Very gentle for babies

Meds

1

Calmoseptomine

OTC diaper rash med. World’s best diaper rash cream used at hospitals. Order at any pharmacy.-didn’t need but so good to have in case

Meds

4

Sleeping pills

For mom on plane rides and before baby comes if needed/ in orig. prescription bottle-LOVED it!

Meds

1

Tylenol

Lg bottle

Meds

1

Neosporin

Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway

Meds

1

Benadryl or anti-itch cream

didn’t need it as we never saw a mosquito or any bugs that bite!!

Meds

2

Allergy Med

1 full box for Papa (not available in VN)- Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway

In mama’s carry on, 3 traveling to VN and 5 on return trip- San Fran was VERY quick through customs coming home. About 5 min total!

Office

2

Pens

In carry on (include 1 Sharpie)

Toiletries

1

mosquito repellant-adult

Didn’t need-wast of luggage space

Toiletries

1

mosquito repellant-baby’s

Didn’t need-wast of luggage space

Toiletries

1

thermometer

Didn’t need but good to have anyway

Toiletries

1

Chapstick

Toiletries

?

Tampons/Pads

Toiletries

1

Small pkg Kleenex

one in each carry on, double as TP- Didn’t need as TP anyway

Toiletries

1

Sunscreen for babies

Didn’t need-babies have to be covered up anyway so they didn’t get sun

Toiletries

1

Sunscreen/moisturizer combo

For adults

Toiletries

1

Toothbrush for each person

Toiletries

2

Toothpaste

Travel size- this small size was enough

Toiletries

1

deodorant

Non-scented for all to share

Toiletries

1

Fingernail file

Toiletries

1

Hairdryer

I don’t go anywhere without mine

Toiletries

1

Curling Iron

Toiletries

1

headband

wear it

Toiletries

1

Hair Clip

Toiletries

Lg. hair rubber bands

Toiletries

1

scented lotion

To promote attachment-only 1 kind to wear daily

Toys

1

stacking cups

Great toy and used for many things!

Toys

2

teethers

Toys

2

Baby rattles

Toys

1

Small balls

Toys

1

links

Luggage

1

Carry on for Livy-travel back pack

She gets to pack it for herself just for her travel items

Luggage

2

Carry on’s for Mama and Papa with essentials we DON’T want to check or lose (less than 15 lbs. required!)-THS needs compartment for laptop

Some things we just can afford to gamble with checking on airlines. So these 2 extra small carry-ons hold these essential items (medications, adoption docs, electronics…)

Luggage

3

Suitcase

1 for each person-(each less than 64” and 55 lbs-Eva)

Luggage

3

Lg donation suitcases

To be checked!Full of donations for the orphanage

$

$50

$2 dollar bills-crip if we can find them

These were very fun to use as tips and hand out! Definitely recommend

$

$100 per day cash

+Lots of $1,$2, $5, and $10-crip bills

Must be “clean” bills$50 a day would have covered everything fine. Then add known expenses like hotel, adoption expenses... Hotel we put on credit card and also US visa fees. We came back with LOTS of money! Set aside fees for passport $100, passport expedition $300, WC gifts, medical exam $100

$

1

Amex credit card

in neck wallet

$

1

Visa credit card

in neck wallet

$

Vietnamese Dong

Ordered from bank-enough to get taxi to hotel + a little- Didn’t need any money to get to hotel from airport. Hotel arranges pickup. Although expensive, it was worth not hassling or worrying about it.

$

1

Small thin men’s wallet

For mama’s sling bag for money

Electronics

1

Digital camera in case

w/ extra battery

w/ battery charger

in mama’s carry on

Electronics

1

IPOD

w/ear buds

w/power cord to attch/charge w/computer

in mama’s carry on

Electronics

1

Computer

w/power cord

w/USB cord

in papa’s carry on

Electronics

1

Plug adaptor

Universal type-British standard 3-pin is very common, so that the plugs fit in VN outlets. Most hotels will supply these at the front desk. STILL need a power converter to convert voltage-didn’t need it. Hotel had these available for us

Electronics

1

Extra batteries

Only for things you can’t live without!

Game boy?-Didn’t need them. Be sure they are fresh when you leave home

Electronics

1

Power converter

To convert voltage for several item. Like game boy, curling iron, cell phone? camera charger? STILL need plug adaptor

Electronics

1

Calculator

Credit card size w/convertor for Dong

CDs

2/3

Entertainment CDs in CD sleeves

For airplane entertainment

Baby Einstein X2

Movie for mama & papa X 2 or 3

TV shows?? Maybe 1 full season-Didn’t need them and wouldn’t take them again! Sleeping pills did the trick on the ride over and on the way back we were busy with baby or sleeping

Clothing-Mom

5

V Neck t shirts & cami’s

5 tops total

Clothing-Mom

2

Skirts

Clothing-Mom

2

Capri’s/pants

Clothing-Mom

1

Nice shirt

for G&R

Clothing-Mom

1

Travel outfit

Layer as I always get cold on planes. Be sure to have socks for cold feet.

Clothing-Mom

1

Bathing suit

Clothing-Mom

1

Cover up

Clothing-Mom

1

Pj’s

Clothing-Mom

3

Underwear

Wash and dry kind

Clothing-Mom

1

Hat

baseball cap was good for bad hair days

Clothing-Mom

1

Sports Bra

I don’t go anywhere without mine to sleep in

Clothing-Mom

1

Shoes

Thin flipflops for hotel, and 2 pair of shoes (wear one) extra pair is just in case

Books

1

Vietnam Guide Books

Books

1

“Attaching in Adoption”

Maybe take whole book with all notes

Books

1

Suduko

for plane

VN grocery list

10/day

Diapers or pull ups

Huggies overnights suggested

VN grocery list

2

Wipes

Lg. boxes-best ones I can find

VN grocery list

1

Laundry detergent

Med size

VN grocery list

2

Baby bottles, the cheap kind

for plane ride home, only if baby won’t take USA bottle

VN grocery list

2

cans of formula

Has to be the type babies are already using in the orphanage-When you find the “right” kind that baby had at orphanage get LOTS!!!! It’s hard to find again, especially in Hanoi

VN grocery list

1

Snack food for room

VN grocery list

Lots

Bottled H2O

VN grocery list

2

Shaving razors

One for Papa & one for Mama

VN grocery list

1

Shampoo

VN grocery list

1

Conditioner

VN grocery list

1

Lotion

VN grocery list

New little toys for plane

Don’t let them see them till ride home-They didn’t need them, but it was good to have just in case

VN grocery list

4

Formula for home

Use this to transition to when we get home-This was a great purchase. We ended up getting 2 VERY large cans to take home

Benadryl if it makes them tired-Used and seem to do the trick as both babies slept on the long leg of the plane ride, but we were sure to test it a couple days ahead of time as it makes some babies hyper.

For plane ride Home

Meds-the necessary ones, acetaminophen-didn’t need but glad I had just in case

For plane ride home

Blankies—used and it got cold on the plane. I was glad to have these on the plane

For plane ride Home

Liners filled with formula (approx 8?)-didn’t need but glad I had just in case

For plane ride Home

Disposable bowl filled with cereal and disposable spoon-didn’t need but glad I had just in case

4 yrs - the average time a child spends in American foster care before being adopted

1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe

12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Carribean

43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa

87.6 million orphans live in Asia

16 million children were orphaned in 2003

Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned as a result of AIDS

400,000+ children in the American Foster Care in 2011

20,000+ young people "age out" of the U.S. foster care system each year. Of these only a little over half will earn a high school diploma.

147 million orphans in the world

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness. Kindness in your face. Kindness in your eyes. Kindness in your smile." ~Mother Teresa

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